This long speech made Ann anxious.
No, there must be another way!
Otherwise, her birth, her only wish—wouldn't it all be meaningless?
If she couldn't save Princess Lyris …
What meaning would Ann have for existing?
Mary-Ann regained her sweet smile.
"That's not how it is, Ann."
"Your birth was a beautiful accident. At this point, I can only pray that you live for yourself. Go see what the world looks like, see the changes over these years."
"I hope you can have your own soul, your own memories, your own personality. Your own wishes that belong only to you."
Finally, there was even a hint of pleading in her tone.
"I hope you become the master of your own fate, and in the real world, experience all the beauty—okay?"
Mary-Ann poured out her heartfelt words and wishes in one breath, then waved to everyone.
"I'm very glad to have met you, especially you, Ann."
"But the Place of Slumber is our grave. I don't want you to linger here."
At this moment, Paimon still didn't understand why Mary-Ann was suddenly driving them away.
She even said they were all excellent adventurers here.
No matter what difficulties Mary-Ann had, they could help her.
Mu Yang stopped Paimon.
"Paimon, don't. Just let her rest in peace here."
Mary-Ann was very grateful that Mu Yang and Lumine could understand her.
"I know you are very capable and very kind. Thank you."
"I just sometimes like to dream—in dreams, there are beautiful adventures, beautiful futures. But I clearly know the things of the past. I understood long ago that everything is beyond saving."
"In the real world, everything has already ended. Goodbye."
As her words fell, the entire dream world began to collapse.
With the magic failing, the water fell back again, flooding the Place of Slumber…
Under Mary-Ann's final magical escort, the group followed the current and left the [Narcissus Cross Kingdom]…
"Ann, are you okay?"
"I'm sorry, Paimon and the two knights." Ann lowered her head.
"During the adventure, I gradually felt something was wrong. After you took me off the story's path, I slowly understood some things and remembered some things."
"But… I still wanted to save Princess Lyris, because that was the purpose of my birth. I wanted to save her and bring a happy, beautiful ending to the story."
Ann's voice gradually trailed off.
Because she didn't even know who Princess Lyris was.
She only knew it was a kind and beautiful princess trapped because of the demonic dragon Narcissus's invasion.
Paimon also became a bit depressed.
During the adventure, she had been the most immersed one.
She had thought all of this was real…
"You two—did you know from the beginning that things were like this?"
Lumine shook her head. "I didn't know. I just wanted to help her wholeheartedly."
"And incidentally investigate the matter of the [Narzissenkreuz Ordo]." Mu Yang added.
They had indeed helped Ann with a purpose.
But it was limited to investigating the information they needed.
Hearing these words, Ann's head buzzed. "What did Mu Yang just say—[Narzissenkreuz Ordo]?"
"Yes, we're looking for this place. Do you have any thoughts, Ann?"
Ann was somewhat excited. "In my memories, there's a place called the Narzissenkreuz Ordo. This place should have deep connections to the past."
She couldn't remember the specifics yet.
But she was certain that once there, they should be able to find out why Mary-Ann ended up like this.
It must be because something happened in the past.
And if Seymour knew his master was dead…
No—Mary-Ann wasn't dead yet. At least, a part of her was still alive.
That drop separated from Mary-Ann, symbolizing the side of her that loved adventure—[Ann]—was still alive and well.
As [Ann], living properly in this world.
No matter what Seymour or others thought.
Mu Yang no longer hid it and told Ann Seymour's name.
Ann seemed touched, but couldn't remember for the moment.
In the end, she said, "Once I find the way to enter the Narzissenkreuz Ordo, I'll tell you right away."
"At that time, you must come—because Ann isn't as strong as you."
"I can't face terrifying scenes alone—the Primordial Water, the amniotic fluid and placenta of the world devoured completely. The world turns pitch black, with no more cool spring water flowing…"
"I once saw such a scene—I don't know if it was in the past or in the future…"
[Holy crap, the plot finally exploded]
[Fontaine's prophecy isn't that simple at all]
[Water is the origin of life! Holy holy holy]
[Just how many secrets does the Primordial Seawater hold]
Though Paimon complained about not distinguishing past from future,
now, as friends, they would definitely come to help when the time came.
"Friends… I'm very happy. You are the first friends I met after becoming [myself] (meaning after breaking away from Mary-Ann's script). So, thank you."
"You're welcome. Very glad to meet you, Ann."
After saying these words, Ann fell into slumber.
She was going to search for the way to enter the Narzissenkreuz Ordo in her dreams.
"Good night, Ann. Sweet dreams."
— — — — — —
At the end of the quest, Mu Yang and Lumine exchanged information.
And reassigned tasks.
While Ann searched for the way to enter the Ordo, Mu Yang would continue his own matters.
Contacting the young lady Navia of the Spina di Rosula to discuss matters regarding Port Romaritime.
And incidentally, find Seymour and tell him about Ann and Mary-Ann.
On Lumine's side, she planned to go to the prison to see what Childe was up to.
How exactly a young man committed a crime twenty years ago—it was too strange.
The two parted ways, and Fontaine's first major version storyline ended here.
Players cried out that they couldn't take it—because it was too much of a cliffhanger.
All the plots had entered the exploration phase, leaving plenty of suspense.
But to know the next step, they had to wait for the next version…
Because there was too much scattered information, Silver Wolf could only first make an analysis of the main line.
Regarding Mu Yang's storyline, she only sorted out a few clues.
The rigorous her decided to wait until completing all quests before releasing a full [Narcissus Cross] plot analysis. (You can wait too—there's a summary post coming soon)
— — — — — —
After the agonizing wait on the parallel Earth, version 4.1 finally arrived.
However, in the Teyvat world, only one day had passed.
On Lumine's side, returning to the Palais Mermonia, she didn't even need to speak.
Instead, Neuvillette made his request.
He hoped Lumine could go to the Fortress of Meropide to check on Childe's situation.
After all, the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale had rendered such a verdict, and the Harbinger Arlecchino was coming to pressure Furina…
As the great Hydro Archon, Lady Furina was naturally unafraid.
But as the god of fairness and justice, how could she allow others to suffer injustice?!
Thus, the great adventurer Lumine and Paimon, because of—
[The grave crime of eating, without divine permission, the cake that the Fatui diplomat carefully prepared for the divine lady, causing a brief silence in Fontaine's political core].
Were swiftly and severely sentenced to 45 days…
[Holy crap, she really got locked up this time!]